The Trial Lawyers Association of BC has announced the 2012 winners of the Bench & Bar Awards, to be presented at a luncheon on March 30, 2012.

Madam Justice Marion J. Allan is the winner of the 2012 Bench award.

“Madam Justice Marion J. Allan is set to retire this April after a highly distinguished career. She has long been regarded as a hard-working, well-respected member of the judiciary, and has earned praise for her learned decisions in response to complex legal issues. All the while, the rights of individuals and the importance of societal responsibility have been at the forefront of her work. Many difficult circumstances have accompanied her cases, among them: funding issues with respect to the treatment of autistic children, government liability pertaining to a youth detention camp, and a legal challenge regarding proceeds-of-crime legislation. Madam Justice Allan has also devoted considerable attention to elder law.”

Robert D. Holmes, Q.C., is the winner of the 2012 Bar award.

“Robert D. Holmes QC is a man dedicated to ensuring the highest standards prevail when it comes to the practice of law and the delivery of justice. He has devoted countless volunteer hours to special projects, efforts that take direct aim at improving BC’s system of justice, as well as ensuring that the rights of individuals remain sacred. Mr. Holmes accomplished the rare feat of serving consecutive terms as president of the Trial Lawyers Association of BC (2009-2010). He gave generously of his time due to a desire to help guide our association through an incredibly challenging public campaign, a complex effort which revolved around the rules of court. While serving as a top TLABC official, Mr. Holmes also penned or co-wrote several important documents, including: detailed critiques of proposed rule changes, a comprehensive submission to the Public Commission on Legal Aid, and a thoroughly considered file regarding the use and importance of civil juries. A graduate of New Haven, Connecticut’s famed Yale Law School, Mr. Holmes currently serves as a governor of TLABC.”

For more information about the TLABC Bench & Bar awards, see the notice here and a list of past winners here.